My name is Makarand from Mumbai, India, but currently working in California, U.S.A.
Most of my fishing in California, is fly fishing for trout, and Salmon.

Fished the Lakshwadeep islands, and Cauvery (Galibore/Bheemeshwari) in Nov./Dec. 2006

It is a great idea to have a forum like indianangler.com, for sportfishing in India. I was referred to this forum by Aznir (Junglebum).

This was my first time Mahseer fishing.
Fished at Galibore, and Bheemeshwari (Dec. 18-21, 2006).
Was not sure which would be better, so booked time at both places.
Later, I was informed by an English angler that Bheemeshwari fishes well in Dec., while Galibore fishes well in low water (Jan.-March). But I decided to go to Galibore anyway.

Started my Cauvery trip with Galibore.
First day, fished near the camp, and caught nothing.

Second day, landed a 10 Lb. silver Mahseer (ragi bait) at Crocodile rock (before noon). This fish was landed, with hardly a fight. Caught nothing in the afternoon session.

Third day, fished Haira. No luck. But my ghille, Basavaraju caught three crabs for bait.
Next stop was Kengal rapids. We try ragi, but no luck. Then we switch to crab, and fish only one rod.
So far we had fished two rods. But with crab the expectation was high.
Waiting, waiting, and then suddenly the rod bends like crazy, and my Daiwa reel is reeling out line at an amazing speed. The fish stops, and I try to wind in line. Basavaraju says something about the drag.
I thought, that Basavraju wants me to increase the drag. The fish moves again, and I increase the drag. Bad mistake ! I was not aware that the fish is behind a rock. The fish won't budge, and I am unaware that the line is grinding against a rock. Line snaps, and it's all over.
I never saw the fish.

The line was brand new 40 pound test, Maxima Chameleon. It was ripped to shreds above the spiral weight.
I have kept a piece of that shredded line as a memento.

Later on when I fished Bheemeshwari, Anthony (ghillie supervisor) informed me that Maxima is not a good line
for Mahseer. He had tested different brands of line for their breaking strength, and Berkeley Big Game was the winner.
Green was the color he recommended.

There were no bites for the rest of the day (Kengal, and downstream to camp).

Fished crocodile rock in the morning (21 st.) with no luck. Left for Bheemeshwari in the afternoon.

Fished with ghillie Naga, at camp pool (Bheemeshwari), and caught one small catfish on chilwa.

For the remaining days I am assigned ghillie Venkatesh, as Naga has been booked by someone.

Next day we fish near Muttathi village, where I meet Aznir (Junglebum), and his buddies Shah, and George. Joe Assasa from U.K. is also there.

I land a small silver on ragi. We try chilwa but no luck.

After lunch I fish Leopard pool, and hook into a big mahseer. I fight the fish, and am determined to land him.
The mahseer goes behind a rock, and I somehow communicate to Venkatesh, to move the coracle.
The fish moves, and I wind in line till the fish breaks surface.
I reel the fish in close to the coracle, less than a rod length away. The fish again breaks surface.

I see that the fish is a minimum 4 feet in length. I feel happy, that I am going to land a big mahseer.

But then the line breaks . Again ! I cannot believe it.

I had no more bites after this.

So, I was unable to land a big mahseer. But, I am hooked to mahseer fishing !

Unfortunately, I was not aware of the murrel fishing at Cauvery.
Next time I will come with the Blue fox/Mepps spinners for murrel. And some frog flies too.

I had a 12 wt fly rod with me for Mahseer, but did not give it a try. Will try it next time.

Welcome to the forum Makarand, and tough luck mate!
Most anglers get just one chance at best per visit, so consider yourself lucky at getting two.
As they say, you gotta pay your dues, and the big mahseer don't come easy. Regards
Owen

Great Read .... Like OMO says u gotta pay youre dues ... im in the queue waiting to pay mine ... hey guys im off to Durg for the weekend ... see ya when i get back ... carrying my camera unlike bobster

Great intro.!! Great way to begin. It is not you who gets a Mahseer, its the Mahseer that gets you........ and for life.

Next time around contact some of us who are by the river often enough to give you the fishing conditions. Yes Bheemeshwari is best in Nov. and possibly Dec. and then the action shifts to Galibore till April depending on the water level.

Check out my thread on 'Saving Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary' under the conservation and environment section. Can you drum up some support for the cause in the US?? International pressure helps to move our buraucracy.

As a recent guest of Jungle Lodges you can email the MD and share your concerns about "Saving Cauvery Sanctuary" a thread started by me. The fishing has been poor this year largely because JLR who have the lease of the river and are responsible for protecting it, have slackened their anti-poaching efforts.

If you know know more sport fishermen who support conservation in the US, ask them to join IA and then build pressure on JLR and the Forest Dept.

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